Share article:
Share article:

by Paul L. Richman, Ph. D.

Figure 1 – ARCA-SWISS C1 Cube
1. The Problem
“Ok. I’ve placed my Nikon D3x into my Markins ballhead clamp. Turn, turn the clamp’s quick release knob and we’re locked in. Now turn the knob to loosen the ballhead, holding onto the camera, and frame the subject. Ah, the framing is justpurrrfect! Now tighten the ballhead knob and let go of the camera. Oops! The camera dropped down just a tad after I tightened the ballhead. Must be front heavy. Hmmm. Ok, loosen the ballhead, move the framing up a bit to try to accommodate for the drop after tightening. Tighten the ballhead. Oops again. Still not quite right. One more time…. Maybe two…. Ugh! Ok, got it. Hmm, it’s actually not quite level. Darn. Ok, let’s do it again. And again. Ok, level now. But wait, I want to change the framing slightly. Oh no, here we go again….”
Have you been there? I have, all too often. If your camera and lens are heavy, most (all?) ballheads behave this way, despite occasional advertising...

Read this story and all the best stories on The Luminous Landscape

The author has made this story available to Luminous Landscape members only. Upgrade to get instant access to this story and other benefits available only to members.

Why choose us?

Luminous-Landscape is a membership site. Our website contains over 5300 articles on almost every topic, camera, lens and printer you can imagine. Our membership model is simple, a Dollar-a-Month ($12.00 USD a year). This $12 gains you access to a wealth of information including all our past and future video tutorials on such topics as Lightroom, Capture One, Printing, file management and dozens of interviews and travel videos.

  • New Articles every few days
  • All original content found nowhere else on the web
  • No Pop Up Google Sense ads – Our advertisers are photo related
  • Download/stream video to any device
  • NEW videos monthly
  • Top well-known photographer contributors
  • Posts from industry leaders
  • Speciality Photography Workshops
  • Mobile device scalable
  • Exclusive video interviews
  • Special vendor offers for members
  • Hands On Product reviews
  • FREE – User Forum. One of the most read user forums on the internet
  • Access to our community Buy and Sell pages; for members only.
Share article:
My passion is in the making of images that captivate. I like a wide range of subject matter, especially landscapes and architecture, but also macro photography of the "little world", portraiture, and abstractions. I have a permanent gallery at the Millennium Harvest House Hotel in Boulder, Colorado, where you can see some of my work in large size and on two floors. My work is also on exhibit at the Sloat Law Offices and other businesses in and around Boulder. I have been published by National Geographic, and in various magazines and newspapers. Contact me to order a prints.
See all articles by this author

You may also like

dnfba
Camera & Technology

What Camera Do I Choose Next? A Journey Through Needs, Wants, and Gear Lust

Finding the right camera feels like figuring out my creative identity —balancing what I shoot most with the gear that truly excites me.
Jon Swindall

Jon Swindall

·

November 20, 2024

·

6 minutes read


n
Camera & Technology

Sony Alpha 1 II and FE 28-70mm f/2.0 GM: Two New Excitements for Professionals

Two groundbreaking tools—the Alpha 1 II and FE 28-70mm f/2 GM—set a new benchmark for speed, precision, and creativity in photography and video.
Jon Swindall

Jon Swindall

·

November 19, 2024

·

7 minutes read